Lloyd McClendon interviews for Tigers' vacant managerial position

Lloyd McClendon (right), the current hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers, became the first to interview for the team's vacant managerial position, sitting down with GM Dave Dombrowski on Thursday. (The Associated Press file photo.)

That might be a summation of why Dombrowski be comfortable turning the ready-to-win now Tigers over to a guy like McClendon who — despite maybe not being the sexy, headline-grabbing pick — at least checks off all the boxes.

He’s managed before, he’s dealt with big-league egos, and he’s the best candidate to blend continuity, relative youth and experience.

Outgoing manager Jim Leyland has had input with Dombrowski, given his two cents worth of opinion, but he has made sure to make it clear he’s not picking his successor.

Still, he has no qualms about recommending his two lieutenants for the job.

He’s someone who has at least some experience managing in the big leagues, following in the footsteps of Leyland and bench coach Gene Lamont as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates (2001-’05).

Guys like Brad Ausmus, Torey Lovullo or Tim Wallach don’t have that.

McClendon’s got experience dealing with some of the various personalities on the Tigers, having worked with Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Magglio Ordonez and so on throughout his time as the Tigers’ hitting coach.

Lamont admitted earlier this week that it might be awful deep water in which to throw an inexperienced manager.

“Myself, I think it would be tough on a first-time manager. There are a lot of, I’ll say personalities. It’s a great team. Great players. Sometimes it doesn’t become the easiest team to manage,” Lamont said.

McClendon probably also would not come in and want to make sweeping changes to establish his system, and he’s someone who’s very familiar to — and with — every member of the team, as it’s constructed now.

On top of that, he’s the “somebody younger” that Leyland indicated he wanted to turn the reins over to, when he figured his fuel was getting a little low to do the job himself.

While Leyland is approaching 69 years old, Lamont’s just two years younger, and third-base coach Tom Brookens — also likely a candidate — is 60. Dusty Baker, who’s expressed interest in the job, is 64, while another interested former manager, Charlie Manuel, is already 69.

McClendon is 54 until January.

Matthew B. Mowery covers the Tigers for Digital First Media. Read his “Out of Left Field” blog at opoutofleftfield.blogspot.com.

About the Author

Detroit Tigers beat writer for The Oakland Press in Pontiac, Michigan. Mowery has spent 18 years covering sports, from preps to pros. He’s been honored with more than 25 awards for writing. Reach the author at matt.mowery@oakpress.com
or follow Matthew B. on Twitter: @MatthewBMowery.